meet the team

PENN Creative Strategy recruits the best consultants we can find to provide our clients with an array of perspectives and creative talents. We know each project requires an expert team, and we pull in skilled colleagues in data analysis, financial modeling, fundraising, and more to assist in the creation of smart and innovative strategies.

MOLLY PENN

President

As a consultant to mission-based organizations for nearly two decades, Molly has deep experience with organizations and foundations in social justice and the arts as well as many other sectors from environment to community development, education to human service. She has worked with more than one hundred organizations to help them become stronger and have a greater impact.

Molly began her professional life on staff at a major nonprofit as well as held senior staff roles at smaller organizations. She has an MBA from Fordham University, a Masters in Management from Columbia University and a BA from Bard College. She is Lean and Hogan certified, and trained as a professional coach. Molly serves on the board of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management. She lives in Manhattan.

andrea sholler

Senior Consultant

Andrea has over twenty years of experience leading and consulting for non-profit organizations in New York and Massachusetts. She is currently the consultant for the Creative Compact for Collective Impact, a collaboration between Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) designed to create a county-wide vision for arts education in the Berkshires. Andrea has an additional ten years of experience in the field of philanthropy as an associate director, program officer, consultant and trustee. She has developed and administered philanthropic programs in the New York metropolitan area focusing on public health, higher education, journalism, criminal justice reform, medical research, performing arts and general issues of equity and fairness. Andrea is a Trustee of the Mertz Gilmore Foundation in New York City, President of the Central Berkshire League of Women Voters and serves on the Advisory Councils for Chesterwood and IS183 Arts School. Andrea Caryn Sholler has a B.A. in American Studies from Barnard College of Columbia University.

leslie appleget

Research & Data Analyst

Leslie Appleget has been working with nonprofit organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom for nearly a decade. Both her breadth of experience and targeted areas of study have given her a society-focused perspective on nonprofit management, which is bolstered by her research and data analysis skills. Leslie holds an MA from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and a BA in Government from American University. Through research and strategic analysis, she aims to increase the recognition of the intrinsic value of the nonprofit sector in public policy.

Sofiya Cheyenne Brown

Project Manager

Sofiya Cheyenne Brown is a New York based teacher and advocate. She received her BFA & BA in Psychology from CUNY Brooklyn College. As an advocate, Sofiya invests herself in projects that aspire to open peoples’ eyes to see that people with disabilities can have an equal chance in the industry. You can find her in many schools doing drama therapy and social justice programs with the youth. Sofiya is so grateful to be a part of the PENN Creative Strategy team! She has also worked as a secretary and personal assistant to many organizations.

Julie Sootin

Financial Analyst

As an avid fan of the nonprofit sector, Julie has spent the last 25 years serving in the roles of professional fundraiser, donor, board member, volunteer, and executive director. She works with a number of small nonprofits to help them achieve financial stability so they can stop worrying about money and start focusing on mission. After three years on the board of the Association of Development Directors (ADO), she became the organization’s Executive Director in 2017. Julie also serves on the board of the Bedford Audubon Society. As an active member of both Nonprofit Westchester and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Westchester Chapter, Julie has deep ties to the local nonprofit community.